After I finished the last posting I remembered I hadn't shared with you some of the other things we saw, or learned on this trip. So here we go with the rest of the story.
Starting in Kansas City, Kansas we went to Independence, Missouri and visited the Temple site. It looked a great deal different then, than it does today. In one corner was the small building of the Stangites and in the opposite was the large home of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The rest of the Temple lot, which is quite large really, was just a nice grass and tree studded lot. Across the street was a small Visitors Center where we went for our lecture. It was here we learned it was not safe to go into Galletin. This is where Sidney Rigdon had given the talk on the "worth of salt". It so enraged the people before their local election that they drove the Saints out of their community. Feeling still ran high there, and we were told not to try to go into town. We did not try. (a note from 2009 - there is an active Ward in that town today. Feelings have finally changed.)
We drove then to the City of Diamond which is pronounced Di Ah Mond. It is here a memorial has been erected on a tiny lot in town to the memory of the Three Witnesses: Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris. We were able to get out of the Bus and walk around and take pictures. This place is in a quiet neighborhood of regular homes. It seemed to be a very old part of town.
From here we took a short drive out to Adam ondi Ahman. A rough ride really. Open country, more like a pig trail. The bus was scraped by the trees as we drove back to the place Lynn McKinlay would give us the story of this interesting place. Lyman Wight had a farm here and when he was laying out his property, he discovered it. Realizing it was something different he didn't disturb it. When Joseph Smith, Jr. came to Missouri, Lyman took him to the spot. It didn't take Joseph long to give its' history. He told Lyman this was the alter where Adam had given his first prayer after leaving the Garden of Eden and the very place Adam had called his posterity together for their blessings before he died. It is also the place where Adam will turn over his stewardship to the Savior prior to His Second Coming. Lynn had a hard time being heard over the chatter of the Katy Dids that seemed to inhabit every tree in the area. As long as everything was normal, they were quiet. When Lynn would raise his voice to be heard by the crowd, they would begin to do their thing. We had quite a laugh over it. Mother and I wandered around and found a pump house for the well for the ranch. It was not kept very well, so we weren't sure if someone was still living and caring for the place or not. In a conversation with Truman later he told us when the time came for Adam to hand over his stewardship every other head of any other dispensation would have to turn over their stewardship to Adam first. There would be a rather large gathering in that case, but no one would know they were there. The modern day Prophet would be there and no one would notice his coming or going. One of the reasons I suppose the area is kept as rural as it is. I have not been back since 1965 so have no idea what it looks like today.
We went then to Liberty Jail. It was a very small stone building set on a city lot in the midst of a residential and business area of the town. We were not able to go in, but the size made an impression. When Jay, Dawn and I visited it some years later there had been a great change. A large impressive Visitors Center had been built on the site and the walls or part of the walls of the original jail had been torn down to expose the lower chamber where the Prophet and Bretheren had been kept for so many months. It also showed the upper floor where the jailer stayed. None of it any size at all. The heat in the summer must have been unbearable and the cold in the winter just as bad. The food was of the most course fare. One wonders how they survived such housing and food. Lessons to be learned did not come easy, and Joseph pleading with the Lord from that humbling place brought some very enlightening truths. It was here the Prophet came into his full stature. He was tried in the firey furnace, and came out refined.
The Saints had been driven from Missouri and were languishing on the banks of the Mississippi River. Only the kind assistance of the people of Quincy, Illinois came to the aide. The people of Far West had vowed they would not let the Mormons dedicate the land they had purchased for a Temple. Guards were set, in fact when we were there though the plot is small, and at the time nothing had been done to it, there was a house across the street where the guards were on duty. Brigham Young and the Quorum of the Twelve crossed the river in the dead of night. Held their meeting, sang their songs, laid the four corner stones of the Temple and Dedicated the ground then left. No one saw or heard them, even at so close a range. Now how do you suppose that happened? If you visit that spot today, the corner stones are marked and a great marker is set on the back of the property. When the time comes, there will be a Temple there - you can count on it.
Next we went to Nauvoo then on to Carthage. The drive was much different than the ride Hyrum and Joseph took those long years ago. We found the town just a very small hamlet and the Jail seemed to be the biggest part of business around. The tourist who came kept the community financed. There was a small Visitors Center, but nothing like it is today. We found a local family had set up a Museum across the Street. Mother and I walked over and went through it. Nothing much to tell about it, except we were approached by a local who asked us:
"when are you Mormons going to take the curse off our town?" Amazed me to think after 120 plus years the people were still blaming someone else for their problems.
We were to have Truman Madsen give the Lecture here at the jail, but when the time came, he was no where around. Lynn stepped up and told us the story, we all knew so well, but hearing it here was very impressive. We walked into the jail, saw the lower quarters where the jailer and his family lived and then we walked the narrow stairway up to where the cell was and the bedroom where the martyrs were allowed to stay. The cell was small, and would have been most uncomfortable for the amount that insisted on staying with the Brothers. Joseph was successful in sending a number of them away with letters or assignments. This left only the two Smith Brothers, John Taylor and Willard Richards. That has always struck me - two witnesses remained to tell the tale. When the Carthage Greys came into the jail, they had one thought in mind - kill the Smiths and anyone else that would try to stop them. The struggle at the door tells its' own story. Holes where the guns fired killing Hyrum and wounding John Taylor. Hyrum fell backwards leaving his witness of blood on the floor that is still visible. Joseph realizing he could not help more decided to jump, hoping to save the others. Oh, you may hear that he was shot and fell. True, he was shot from the front and the back, but the width of the window cile was too wide for him to have fallen out. He would have had to propel himself out. He as shot from the yard which apparently changed his motion, when another shot at closer range from the door drove him into the yard. You won't hear it told too often, but here you will hear that his lifeless body was propted up against the well and shot a number more times. A reward of $1,000.00 had been offered for the head of Joseph Smith. One of the group took the Prophets' hair in his hand and was about to strike the blow that would win him the reward when a shaft of light froze him in that position, and he had to carried away. That is another story not often told, but a notarized statement to the fact tells the story. (You can read it in "Fate of the Persecutor of the Prophet Joseph Smith.)
I should explain what happened to Truman Madsen. I found him in the Bus very depressed and having a difficult time. We talked for awhile and he told me he could not bring himself to go into the jail. He was so close to the Prophet in so many ways it was a very painful experience for him. Even talking about it was upsetting. During our conversation he told me he was the Grand-son of Heber J. Grant. That his Great Grandmother, who was the mother of Heber J. had been sealed to the Prophet Joseph in Nauvoo, Illinois. When the Prophet was killed she was married for time to Jedediah H. Grant, Heber J's. birth father. He felt he was also the Great Grand Son of the Prophet through this line. According to the Eternal Marriage, that would be correct. It probably explains the life long work Truman Madsen did on the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the film presentations he completed prior to his recent passing. I have no doubt that all the facts that Truman learned and shared with his many faithful students and fans has left a legacy that will mean thousands "shall know Brother Joseph".
It was my great pleasure to have been in many classes, read the books and view the films Elder Madsen made during his life time. He was noted for his memory. Just one more incident that might show just how great it really was. I was in a Session at the Los Angeles Temple many years after the 1965 Tour. I noticed Elder Truman was also in that Session. When the Session was over, I stayed in the Celestial Room for a short while and saw Elder Madsen with a group of friends. He kept watching me from a distance and after a short while he left that group and walked over to me and said: "little sister, how good it is to see you." We talked for a short while, and then parted. I didn't have another chance to speak with him after that experience, but it ment a great deal to me to know that after so long a time, he still had a memory of me, and when and where we had been in touch. I treasure my time with him and Elder McKinley Sister McKinley, Lynns' lovely wife Sam - short for Samantha. Another thought, I saw Lynn some years later while we were living in Anaheim, California. He also remembered me, and we had a nice conversation.
Samuel Smith a younger brother of Joseph and Hyrum was ill at home in Nauvoo when the Prophet left. He got out of a sick bed and road to Carthage arriving too late to help. The Greys had run from town thinking the Mormons were coming - they feared for their lives. Samuel made arrangements to take his Brothers back to Nauvoo for burial. He never regained his health and died six months later. Lucy Mack Smith had now lost all but one of her sons.
(Samuel, it should be noted here was one of Josephs strongest supporters and so anxious to help spread the Gospel he took the first few pages of the Book of Mormon off the presses and went on his first Mission. He was faithful to the end of his life.)
Next we went to Winter Quarters. We heard about the hardship of the Saints as they made their way West. The small graveyard across the street from their camp ground was soon filled with their dead. The City deeded that Cemetary over to the Church after years of the Church maintaining it. A Visitors Center was built across the Street and the story of the faithful Saints is told there. It has been expanded, and the Cemetary has received many additions like a listing of those buried there and some beautiful sculptures. Of course the most spectacular addition in recent years is the building of the Temple at the base of the Cemetary. It appears as if it rises right out of the hill. Amazing. A vantage point of the sight has been built into the Visitors Center. If you haven't seen it, you should make it a must for a future trip.
Next we went into Ohio. What a lot of things to see. We saw the Harris Farm and the Whitney Store and Sidney Rigdons home. We saw where the Prophet lived, but the most amazing experience was at the Johnson Farm. This is where the Church was organized. The little log cabin was yet to be restored at this time, but it was plain to see where it had stood. The lovely new home that graces the property had a wide covered porch. It was here Lynn McKinlay stood to give his Lecture. During this time I was standing a ways back from the rest of the group. I liked to be where I could see everything, and hear too. While Lynn was speaking I heard a noise and it wasn't long until it caught the attention of everyone else. It was soft at first and then it became louder. I couldn't figure out what it was, but I was certain it was coming toward us. As
I looked out over the wheat field, I could see what it was - a dark cloud was moving toward us and it was dumping a large amount of rain as it traveled our way. I guess my expression caught Lynns attenetion, he looked out and saw it as well. He quickly told the group to get up on the porch. Those that made it in time didn't get wet, the rest got soaked in short order. It was an amazing experience.
We visited the Kirtland Temple as I have told you, but I would like to take this time to tell you about the restoration of Kirtland, Ohio. One of the men who served with Jay on the LSM 330 has a daughter that is on the Town Council, or what ever it is called in Kirtland. She has contacted me about the work there. They are all Catholic. She had never had any experiences with LDS people but had heard about us from her parents. When the Church came to them to see about changes that would help inhance the restoration of Kirtland, they laid out a very elaborate plan indeed. After the prsentation the Church representative was asked: "and just how do you suggest we pay for all of these major changes?" She said they were shocked to hear him say that the Church would pay for them if the City would give them the clearances necessary. She wanted to have me come back there and see what they were doing. Unfortunately, I have not been able to accept her invitation. I have been in contact with her over the years and am pleased she still has such a high oppinion of the Church. I understand working with the Church the City has been pleased with the work, and appreciate the tourist advantage they have now that is helping their economy. Ohio has long been one of the areas that has been very shy about having the Church and its presence there. This has been changed greatly with this project.
I have talked about Palmyra, but did not mention it was here the locals had arranged a wonderful dinner for us in their Stake Center. We did enjoy our visit. We saw the home that Alvin had built for his family. The old Log Cabin they lived in was not restored at that time.
There was no Temple either. The Visitors Center was small but I am sure is much enlarged since that first visit. I have not been back there either.
I believe this covers it, however if I come up with any other tid bits, I might be back to blog them as well. In the mean time, I have been blessed over the years to have added upon what I learned on this trip, and am greatful for all those who have gone before in this History and given me the opportunities I have to be blessed by the Gospel, and to have my own opportunities to share my inthusiastic teaching of what I have learned.
Written this 15th day of September 2009
by: Eileen Rosenberg
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